γυναικεῖος (gunaikeios)
gunaikeios
feminine
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective gunaikeios simply means "feminine" or "female," deriving directly from the word for woman, gynē. It is a descriptive term that identifies something as pertaining to the female sex, without adding extra layers of cultural judgment or specific role definition.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Peter 3:7. Here, it modifies "vessel" (skeuos) to describe women. The text calls husbands to treat their wives with respect as weaker vessels who are also heirs of God’s grace. The term itself is neutral; it does not imply inferiority but rather biological distinction.
Its rarity in Scripture highlights its straightforward nature. Unlike more complex terms that might carry theological weight regarding authority or submission, gunaikeios serves a basic descriptive function. It anchors the reader’s understanding of the relationship dynamics Peter discusses by clearly identifying the gendered context of the instruction.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word gunaikeios appears just once in the New Testament, found in 1 Peter 3:7. It is a simple adjective meaning "feminine" or "female." Peter uses it to describe wives as "weaker vessels." This term does not suggest that women are less valuable or spiritually inferior. Instead, it acknowledges a physical difference while affirming equal spiritual status.
In this context, the word helps husbands understand how to treat their wives with care and respect. Recognizing this distinction allows for practical kindness in daily life. It reminds us that strength comes in many forms, and mutual honor is essential for a healthy marriage. The focus remains on love and shared faith rather than power dynamics.
Understanding this term can bring peace to married couples. It encourages partners to appreciate their differences without letting them create distance. By treating each other with the honor described here, couples reflect God’s grace in their home. This simple word points toward a relationship built on mutual respect and shared spiritual heritage.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- female1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- γυναικείῳ1×
Key Verses
-
I Peter 3:7
You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman as to the weaker vessel, as also being joint heirs of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
This is the only occurrence of gunaikeios in Scripture, where it describes wives as "weaker vessels" to instruct husbands on honoring them.